Kottayam – The land of latex and letters

Kottayam is located in the center of Kerala in India. The city is a major spice trading center and is predominantly known for its commercial rubber crops. Rubber trees are widely cultivated in central Kerala, especially in vast areas of the Kottayam district, in plantations, both large and small. It is also known as the foundation of important print media careers. It has also become the pioneering center of modern education in Kerala and the city became the first municipality in India to achieve more than 100% literacy in 1989. The city of Kottayam is also called “Akshara Nagari”, which means the “City of letters” considering its contribution to print media and literature. According to its education, it also became the first tobacco-free district in India.

Kottayam borders the Pathanamthitta district to the south, the Alappuzha district to the west, the Ernakulam district to the north, and the Idukki district to the east.

Etymology:

The name Kottayam is believed to have originated from the Malayalam words ‘Kotta’ which means strong and ‘akam’ which means ‘inside’, giving the word the meaning of ‘inside the fort’.

Geography:

Kottayam City is located in central Kerala at a location of 9 ° 35’N 76 ° 31’E9.58 ° N 76.52 ° E. It has an average elevation of 3 meters (9 feet) from sea level. It is situated in the Meenachil river basin which is formed by the confluence of several streams in the Western Ghats in the Idukki district. The river runs through the Kottayam district and joins Lake Vembanad. Kerala is geographically divided into Highlands, Midlands, and Lowlands based on altitude, with Kottayam within the Midlands. The general soil type is alluvial soil. The vegetation is mainly tropical evergreen and of the humid deciduous type.

The climate in this District is moderate and pleasant. Kottayam’s proximity to the equator results in a small seasonal temperature variation, with moderate to high humidity levels. Annual temperatures range from 20-35 ° C (68-95 ° F) From June to September, the southwest monsoon brings heavy rains as Kottayam is on the windward side of the Western Ghats. From October to December, Kottayam receives light rains from the northwest monsoon as it is located on the leeward side. Average annual rainfall is 315 cm.

Brief history:

Kottayam was ruled by the Rajas from the small independent kingdom of Thekkumkoor which ruled from Thazhathangadi until the mid-18th century. Marthanda Varma, the hero king of Travancore annexed Thekkumkoor and the surrounding areas of Kottayam to the Kingdom of Travancore. During the British rule of India, Kottayam continued to be ruled by the princely state of Travancore.

The state of Travancore under the royal government consisted of two revenue divisions, namely the southern and northern divisions, under the administrative control of a ‘Diwan Peshkar’. Later, in 1868, two more divisions were formed, Quilon (Kollam) and Kottayam. A fifth division, Devikulam, existed for a short period, but was later added to Kottayam. At the time of the integration of the state of Travancore and Cochin in 1949, these revenue divisions were renamed districts and the Diwan Peshkars were replaced by the more British “district collectors”. Thus, the Kottayam district was born in July 1949. It later became part of the state of Kerala and the seat of the district bearing the same name when the state was formed in 1957.

Economy:

Kottayam, as already mentioned, is a major natural rubber trading center in India. The Rubber Board, a body set up by the Government of India for the development of the rubber industry, is located in Kottayam. Several small and medium-sized enterprises in and around the city are engaged in the processing of rubber latex and the manufacture of rubber products. Besides rubber, Kottayam is a place of trade for other cash crops such as spices that are widely grown in the surrounding areas. Plantation Corporation of Kerala is also based in Kottayam.

Religion:

Kerala has a history of being a magnet for traders, predominantly from the Arab world and Europe. They not only brought with them business opportunities, but also their culture and, more importantly, their religions. Considering that the Hindu religion had been practiced here for centuries, the negative practices of it were also implemented in its harshness, this included the feudal system supported by the caste system. Some of the religious beliefs that “offered” equality and a sense of self-worth were a welcome change for many suffering communities. One of the attractions of the new religions was the opportunity to achieve “nirvana” without social barriers. Christianity is supposed to have reached the shores of Kerala in the 1st century. According to unconfirmed beliefs, Saint Thomas, the apostle of Jesus Christ, was also reputed to have landed in Kerala to spread the good words of the lord.

Reflecting the religious makeup of the population, a large number of Hindu temples and Christian churches along with mosques dot the urban landscape. Apart from the native Hindu population, Kottayam in particular has a large number of inhabitants. of Christians along with a substantial no. of Muslims too.

Christianity- Kottayam is a major center for Syrian Christians in Kerala. Followers of the Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Jacobite Church, Knanaya, the Marthoma Church, the St. Thomas Evangelical Church, the CSI Church, the Pentecostal Churches and the Brethren form the main Christian sects.

The Church of Saint Mary, or Valia Palli or the Great Church, built in 1550 by the Syrian Jacobite Christians of Knanaya who migrated from West Asia, is considered the first Christian church in the city of Kottayam. This church is famous for its two granite crosses known as Persian crosses. There are rare ancient carvings and wall paintings behind the main altar and on the ceiling.

There is another Church of Saint Mary known as Cheria Palli or the Little Church, belonging to the Malankara Orthodox Church it was built in 1579 by the Raja of Thekkumkoor for his Christian subjects. These churches have architectural influences from temples. The interior murals, painted with vegetable dyes, depict biblical themes.

The Syro-Malabar rite of the Roman Catholic Church has an archeparchy based on Kottayam. Some of the important Catholic churches in Kottayam include the Forane Church of Lourdes, the Church of the Good Shepherd, the Vimalagiri Cathedral, and the Christhuraja Cathedral. The former Pope John Paul II visited Kottayam, during his visit to India in 1986. He announced the beatification of Father Kuriakose de Chavara and Sister Alphonsa, a native of Kottayam. The mortal remains of Saint Alphonsus, who was elevated to sanctity on October 12, 2008, are preserved in a chapel next to the Church of Saint Mary, Bharananganam. It is a popular Christian pilgrimage center.

Islam: The most prominent among the mosques appears to be the Thazhathangadi Juma Masjid, located on the banks of the Meenachil River. It is reputed to be one of the oldest mosques in India and according to legends it is over 1000 years old. It is famous for its architectural beauty and rich wood carvings. This mosque was built by the followers of the Islamic prophet Muhammad during one of his first trips to Kerala.

Hinduism: The native religion has a significant influence on the socio-cultural fabric of Kottayam. One of the most important temples is the Thirunakkara Mahadeva Kshetram, in the heart of the city. It is dedicated to the destroyer among the Hindu trinity – Shiva and is built in the typical style of Kerala temple architecture, with interior murals depicting themes from Hindu epics. It was built in the early 16th century by the then Raja of Thekkumkoor. The annual temple festival is a great event and culminates with the Aarattu ceremony which attracts large numbers of devotees.

Despite the presence of several religions and a big no. Of each faith, according to its reputation for peace, various sections of Christianity, Muslim and Hinduism harmoniously coexist.

Sightseeing:

It has been an important contribution to the economy of Kottayam. Many tourism-related businesses thrive in the city. Kumarakom, one of the most famous tourist destinations in Kerala, is only 14 km from the city. Wagamon is another prominent place worth visiting and borders the Kottayam and Idukki districts. Kottayam has a vast network of rivers, backwaters, hill stations, and ancient religious sites. Only a few prominent places have been highlighted here:

Places to visit:

Vembanad Lake: It is a large body of water that is part of the famous interconnected Kerala backwaters of Kerala that stretch practically the length of the state. Vembanad Lake is 52 miles (84 km) long and 9 miles (14 km) wide. Traditional cargo ships called Kettuvallams have been modified into luxurious cruise ships and house boats for the convenience of tourists. These boats move gracefully through the backwaters, allowing their passengers to enjoy the beauty of Vembanad Lake at a relaxed pace.

Pathiramanal: Translated as the midnight sands, Pathiramanal is a small but beautiful island located within Vembanad Lake that is only accessible by boat.

Kumarakom: Located on the shore of Lake Vembanad, Kumarakom is a town made perfect by mangroves and coconut trees, lush green rice paddies, gushing waters snaking through dense forests. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to migratory birds such as the Siberian stork, egret, dart, heron, and teal. Here you can also observe local birds such as waterfowl, cuckoo, owl and water hen and other common varieties such as woodpecker, lark, crane and parrot. Approximately 91 species of local birds and 50 species of migratory birds are found here, making it a paradise for bird watchers. The best time to observe local birds is from June to August and the best time for migratory birds is from November to February. Houseboats and motor boats can be rented for bird watching cruises on the lake.
Vagamon: It is a hill station in the Kottayam-Idukki district.

Other nearby attractions:

o Thekkady Periyar Tiger Reserve: 104 kilometers away, located in the Idukki district.
o Peerumed- Approximately 75 Kms away, located in the Idukki district
o Munnar- The famous hill station, about 80 km away
o Vaikom: located about 50 km from Kottayam.
o Kottayam is also a gateway to pilgrim centers like Sabarimala, Mannanam, Vaikom, Ettumanoor Siva temple, Thirunakkara, Bharananganam, Erumeli and the famous Manarcaud church. Kottayam city is connected by rail to other major cities in Kerala and also to waterways for scenic drives.

During the months of August and September, the rivers in and around Kottayam are transformed into race tracks. The serene backwaters come to life during the popular Malayali festival of Onam when the spectacular water regatta – the snake boat races. Rowers, at least a hundred in each boat, make their way through the waters to the rapid pace of their own full-throated chanting. The Thazhathangadi boat race in Kummanam is over a century old. Regattas are held on the Kavanar and Kottathodu rivers in Kumarakom. Some 50 boats participate in these vallam kalis, including Chundan, Churulan, Iruttukuthi (ody) veppu and canoes.

In short, Kottayam is a beautiful part of beautiful Kerala. Visit it to believe it.